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Snakes are incredible creatures but are very misunderstood. Many people don't understand these creatures and we do fear what we don't understand or know. It's just part of being human. Just like how people can hold world records so can animals. In this blog we will be focusing on records snakes have made.

​World's Largest Snake

Image Credit: Zoo Atlanta

Did you know that the largest species of snake in the world is the Reticulated Python? Thats right they are even bigger than the Anaconda. The Reticulated Python can grow to 10 m long. The pattern on their scaly skin helps them to blend into their habitat. Their diet consists of pigs, deers, other large mammals, reptiles and birds. These snakes are found in rainforests of South East Asia. This is a snake that deserves your respect. They are truly amazing creatures.

World's Largest Venomous Snake

Image Credit: indialookup

The King Cobra is the world's largest venomous snake as it can reach a length of 5 m long. These snakes are also found in South East Asia but are also found in India. This species of snake is a cannibal, eating others of its own kind. But their diet also consist of rodents as well as lizards. But these amazing snakes are being threatened with extinction as they are classed as Vulnerable. Their main threat is their habitat being destroyed for many things like palm oil plantations, timber, housing and agriculture. They are also unfortunately killed for their skin and their meat so it can be used in traditional medicines!

World's Most Venmous

Image Credit: Steve Parish Nature Connect

The world's most venomous. The most toxic is the Fierce Snake. This serpent has many other names. These include the Western Taipan, Inland Taipan and the Small Scaled Snake. It has enough venom to kill 150,000 rats. In one bite this snake can kill 100 men. But despite this no one has ever died from an Inland Taipan. This is because they live in the middle of no where, the Australian outback. The majority of their diet consist of rats. These snakes usually grow to 2.5 m.

Everyone knows what a lizards is. You can even find them in your garden. Many people are familiar with many different types from the Blue Tounge Skink to the spiny Bearded Dragon. But many people don't know there are actually venomous ones. In fact there are only two venomous lizards in the world the Gila Monster (pronounced Hila Monster) and the Mexican Bearded Lizard. But in this blog we will be focusing on America's only venomous lizard, the Gila Monster.

​The Gila Monster is found in the deserts in south-west United States as well as northern Mexico. These lizards are slow moving animals with bulky legs. They can get to 2kg in weight and grow to 60cm long. Although its venom has never killed anyone their bite is meant to be extremely painful. Its venom is stored in glands in the lizards mouth unlike a snake which has fangs. For the Gila Monster to invenomate you it will need to chew on you. If you leave it alone it will have no reason to bite you. This lizards diet consists on small animals as well as eggs. Did you know that the Gila Monster spend 95% of their life in burrows?

Bats are extremely misunderstood animals. All around the world people have an irrational fear for these animals. They fear that they will give them diseases or suck their blood just like a Vampire. But this is far from the truth. These facts will show you just how misunderstood they are and why they are so important for the environment and all its fauna as well as flora.

They Pollinate Our Plants

Bees and birds get a lot of praise for pollination and so they should. But what about bats? In just 1 night bats can fly an area the size of the Gold Coast to Brisbane. That means they pollinate a greater then both birds and bees. Some plants can only be pollinated by bats as they flowers only open at night! They are a keystone species. This is a species that is vital for the environment to function. If we take out the bats the forests will suffer the consquences.

Only One Type Of Bat Sucks Blood

Most people think that bats suck your blood but the truth is that one species does that. That species is the Vampire Bat. Most people don't have to worry about this animal as it doesn't live near us. In fact is lives in South America.

Only A Minute Percentage Of Bats Carry Diseases

In all of Austraila's history only 3 people have died from bat transmitted diseases! Only extremely sick bats carry disease. You are more likely to get struck by lightning, fall off a ladder, injure your self from a staple gun or killed by a vending machine then getting a disease from a bat!

​​We Are Making Bats Become Endangered

​Just like we are threatening Elephants and Rhinos we are also threatening bats too. Many species like the Grey Headed Flying Fox which is local to the Gold Coast are endangered because of us. But how are we threatening bats? Bats get entangled in barb wire fences and fruit netting, this can cause their death. Bats also fly into power lines. Another threat they face is shooting. But their main threat is habitat destruction just like with many other animal species.

You Can Help Bats!

Image Credit: Steve Parish Nature Connect

We have the power to change things for the better. We all do. Simple actions help to save wildlife just like bats. Write to the government and tell them that you want them to do more to conserve bats. If you have fruit netting take it down and dispose of it responsibly. Instead of having the netting put bells on your fruit trees they they will ring when they land on it and that will scare them away.

Dunkin Donuts (an American based company) is making a move to become more environmentally sustainable. They have announced that they are getting rid of their styrofoam cups! Phasing them out will begin in spring of 2018 and by 2020 it will be phased out all across the world. Instead of using foam cups they will be using a much more environmentally friendly option, paper cups (the paper will be coming from sustainable managed paper production).

But why is styrofoam so bad? The problem with styrofoam is it breaks up so easily, this is when it does its real damage. When it is broken up a lot of marine life mistake it for fish eggs and therefore eat it. This is just like when a turtle sees a plastic bag it thinks it is a Jellyfish.

We can all help battle rubbish and plastic pollution. Simple little actions make a big difference. One very easy thing people can do to help is to say no to single use plastic items like straws, cups, utensils and plates. Plastic never breaks down. Every bit of plastic ever made still exists today. You use these things for 10 minutes or so then throw then "away" but there is no such thing as "away". Instead of using these a much better option would be to use reusable items. All it takes is changing your habits and routines.